New blog topics coming soon

New blog topics coming soon

16:00 PM, 10th January 2011, About 13 years ago 2

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The two new topics will be:

Cautionary Tales – this will include Case Studies from a panel of landlords and professional advisors explaining how they or their clients lost money and what they now do differently.

Guest Bloggers – several other experienced property investors have kindly offered to provide an overview of their own strategies.   I’m looking forward to this as I personally have minimal direct experience in buying or managing holiday lets, HMO’s , student lets and LHA tenants.

WATCH THIS SPACE

If you would like to contribute an article for the Blog please email me at mra@themoneycentre.com


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Comments

16:58 PM, 14th January 2011, About 13 years ago

Would it be helpful if landlords could swap notes regarding their experiences with suppliers? Recently I refurbished my rental flat in Ilkley, West Yorkshire in which I installed a new fully fitted kitchen. I had no knowledge of local suppliers as I don't live in the area and obtain quotes from two companies. It was very difficult to make a judgement, and rather foolishly I didn't take out references on either company as I was in a bit of a hurry. I had previously installed nine kitchens in different properties I owned from 1980 onwards, but I wanted to try a different supplier in a different price range. The company I chose was the -----------------TEXT REMOVED--------------------- . The result was a disaster. I was quoted two days for the installation, it took over two weeks, Many measurements were wrong. The duct work from the extractor which my carpenter had installed according to their measurements was found to be in the wrong position and had to be taken down, repositioned and reinstalled.. A cupboard would not fit and the fitter had three attempts to install the washing machine. On completion the kitchen was left in a total mess, there was no attempt to clean up, offcuts sawdust and dirt everywhere. The guarantees for the appliances were taken out of their envelopes and just left lying around. Two weeks after they left the hose to the washing machine which had not been used sprang a leak and flooded my flat and the flat below. During the following year some equipment failed it was impossible to get them to respond to the claims under guarantee. These are only a few of the items that went wrong, but I don't want to take more of your time with the entire saga. Would it be a good idea if landlords using your website could share this type of information so that others can be aware of the companies to avoid and the companies to use?

17:18 PM, 14th January 2011, About 13 years ago

Hello Ian

Sorry to hear of your troubles and I hope you manage to get this resolved quickly. No doubt you will not be paying this company or at least taking them to small claims court if you've paid up-front.

Great minds obviously think alike in terms of developing the web-site. We've been working on something very similar to what you've suggested for several months and should be ready to launch soon. Watch this space.

We have to be very careful about defamation and must, therefore, operate a 'no name and shame policy'. Sorry but I've had to remove the details of your 'rogue trader'. What we will be doing, however, is creating a members only area for investors to add their recommended suppliers. These companies will earn more credibility as more and more members recommend them.

You will find further details in issue 29 of Landlord News. Less than 2 weeks to wait.

Regards

Mark Alexander

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